him for farther improvement to Italy, where the liberal arts and sciences then flourished. For this purpose, an establishment suitable to his rank was provided by the King, who allowed him a liberal yearly pension, in addition to the income of his ecclesiastical preferments.

To Italy he was accompanied by several learned Englishmen, beside a proper retinue of attendants, and after visiting many foreign Universities he settled at Padua; where his house quickly became the resort of the most eminent literati of the age. Of these, the most distinguished were Bembo, Sadolet, Longolieu, and Lupset a learned Englishman, whom he took into his family, and by whose recommendation Erasmus opened a friendly correspondence with the highborn student. The professors, knowing how nearly he was related to the King of England, strenuously exerted themselves to complete his education; and as they likewise partook of his noble liberality, they were not sparing of encomiums on his genius and accomplishments, proclaiming every where that their pupil was an honour to themselves and an ornament to the university. From Padua he went to Venice, where he continued some time, after which he visited other parts of Italy.

Having spent five years abroad, he was called home; but being extremely desirous to see the jubilee, which was celebrated at Rome in 1525, he made a tour to that city; whence passing by Florence, he returned to England before the expiration of the year, and was received with the utmost respect by the court and the nobility. Devotion however and study being his sole delights, he retired to the convent of the Carthusians at Sheen in Surrey, where he had received the rudiments of his education;

having obtained from his Sovereign a grant of the apartment which the deceased Dr. Colet had built for his own use.

In this retirement he had spent two years with great satisfaction, when Henry VIII. began to start scruples about the lawfulness of his marriage with Queen Katharine. Pole, foreseeing the troubles which this incident would probably occasion to himself, if he remained in the kingdom, resolved to withdraw; and, accordingly, obtained his Majesty's leave to visit Paris in 1529. Here, carrying some learned persons in his train, he passed his time in literary ease; till the King, in prosecution, of his divorce, sending to the most celebrated foreign academies for their opinion upon his case, commanded him to assist his agents in procuring the subscription and seal of the University of Paris to the illegality of the marriage.

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Pole, being (as it subsequently appeared) of the contrary opinion, excused himself in reply by stating, that his studies had lain another way.' At this Henry was so much displeased, that when his kinsman not long afterward returned home, he was strongly urged to clear himself of the imputation of disloyalty, Having averted the storm for the time by his submission, he retired to his former solitude at Sheen.

When it was subsequently determined to decide the cause in question independently of the Pope, as Pole was universally esteemed for his learning and piety, and was besides of the blood royal, it was conceived that his consent would be of great service in influencing the concurrence of others. To gain this, therefore, no means were left untried: even

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the see of York, at that time vacant, was offered to his acceptance. Pressed upon every side, he repaired to the King, with a design to give him satisfaction; but his conscience checking him the moment he was about to speak, he was not able for some time to utter a word. Recovering at length, he quitted his former purpose, and delivered his sentiments with such spirit and eloquence against the divorce, that Henry with a countenance full of anger put his hand to his dagger: but instantly checking himself, he only said, "I will consider of your opinion, and you shall have my answer." He never, however, sent for him more. Pole apprehending farther danger, if he should continue in England, obtained permission once more to go abroad: and his Majesty was so far satisfied at the moment, that for some years he continued his pension.

The first place he visited was Avignon, in France, at that time under the jurisdiction of the Pope. Here he continued unmolested for the space of a year; but finding the air disagree with his constitution, he exchanged it for Padua, where he again fixed his residence, only making occasional excursions to Venice.

He had now been a considerable time abroad, and Henry had frequently intimated his desire that he would return: but after sundry excuses, he at length informed his Majesty by letter, that he approved neither of his divorce, nor of his separation from the holy see. The King, in reply, transmitted him a book written in England by Dr. Sampson, in support of his supremacy, and required his opinion in answer to it. Upon this, Pole composed his famous sophistical treatise, entitled De Unitate Ecclesias

tica; in which he condemned Henry's actions, exalted the papal above the royal authority, compared his Majesty to Nebuchadnezzar, and concluded with an address to the Emperor, conjuring him to turn his arms rather against the King of England than the Turk.'

Henry, concealing his resentment, required him, all excuses apart, to return immediately home, that he might confer with him on the subject both of his book and of his letters, which required farther explanation. But this angel of peace,' as he is stiled by Phillips,* had no inclination, it appears, to die a martyr in the Pope's cause; and therefore, taking warning by the fate of More and Fisher, he peremptorily refused: upon which the King withdrew his pensions, deprived him of his preferments, and not long afterward procured an act of attainder to be passed against him.

The attachment constantly shown by Pole to the papal interest, and his misfortunes consequent thereon, made it expedient that the Pontiff should publicly, by some signal honour, testify his approbation of his conduct. Accordingly he was summoned to Rome, as the representative of England in a General Council to be held for the reformation of abuses, not in the doctrine (for that they deemed sacred, and incapable of error) but in the administration of the affairs of the church. Upon his arrival, in 1536, he was lodged in the papal palace, and treated with the utmost respect. His Holiness immediately proposed to make him a cardinal; but Pole, who designed to secure to himself the crown of England by

* A modern Popish writer of his life.

marrying the Princess Mary, remonstrating against this promotion, the Pope appeared to acquiesce: the next day however he insisted on his obedience, and Pole, who had not yet received the clerical tonsure, submitted to this ceremony (says Beccatelli, who was present) "with as much reluctance as the lamb to the shearing-knife." After which, he was created cardinal-deacon of St. Nereus and Achilleus. His Holiness then appointed him Nuncio to the courts of France and Flanders, that he might be the better enabled, from the vicinity of his residence, to correspond with the Roman Catholics in England, and to sustain the declining interests of the papacy in that country.

At Paris, he was honourably received by the King: but there he did not long remain; for Henry sending to demand him of the French Monarch, he removed to Cambray, and placed himself under the protection of the Bishop. This however was no place of safety for him, as from the war between France and the Empire, in which Henry bore a part, English soldiers were continually harassing the district; and a price having been set upon his head, he was exposed to imminent danger, if he should fall into their hands. He chose Liege for his next residence, in consequence of an invitation from Erardas the cardinal-bishop, who received him with brotherly kindness. There he continued about three months, expecting that the Emperor and the King of France would fulfil their engagements with him, by fomenting the disturbances excited among the English Catholics; but this project failing, he was recalled to Rome.

While thus employed in holding correspondence